Lock controller



Aug. 15, 1933.

E. NORVIEL LOCK CONTROLLER Filed June 29, 1929 IGNITION bodiment of oneform of the Patented Aug. 15, 1933 LOCK CONTROLLER Harry E. vNorviel,Anderson, Ind., assignor to Delco-Remy Corporation, Anderson, Ind., aCorporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1929. Serial No. 374,827

2 Claims. (01. 7014) This invention relates to lock controllers forignition circuits or other apparatusand is particularly directed to thatlook controller built into an ignition unit usually embodying aninterconnected switch structure having appropriate electrical connectionwith elements of the said unit.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for retaining thecircuit controlling parts in. proper relation, during removal or replacement of an actuator for the movable contact parts. This is accomplishedby rotatably mounting a couplerin the controller frame and securing themovable contact mechanism to this coupler, which is providedwithseparable. mating provisions through which it may be driven by saidactuator, the assembled movable contact and coupler being retained inoperable position at all times by provisions of the actuator support.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawing wherein a preferred empresent invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section illustrating a lock controllerembodying my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a face view of the unit substantially as indicated by thearrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a coupling unit contributing to myinvention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic showing illustrating the cooperative andinterfitting engagement of the elements contributing to my invention.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing a modification of the couplingmember.

Fig. 6 is aschematic showing similar to Fig. 4, showing the coactiveinterfitting relation of the modified form of the coupler unit.

In the drawing 20 represents acasing of hardened or theft proof metalenclosing an ignition unit, as in the present instance the usualignition coil. Within the casing 20 is secured a can 21, the edge ofwhich is turned inwardly at 22 to provide a seat for a ncnconducting endmember or coil base 23 provided with an annular skirt 24 centrallylocating a nonconducting block 25 within which reposes the end of a core26 of the coil having leads 27 and 28. The leads 27 and 28 have theirbared ends passed through the end member 23 and are connected withswitch contacts 29 and 30 respectively secured to the face of the member23.

The casing 20 is projected s'ufiiciently beyond the coil base 23 toprovide a chamber housing a controller mechcanism, in the presentinstance a switch structure having cooperative engagement with thecontacts 29 and 30. The case 20 also provides an attaching bracket 36 bywhich the ignition unit may be secured to an appropriate supportsomewhere on the vehicle body. The switch structure comprises a movablecontact plate 37 which in the present 5 instance is rotatable into andout of engagement with the contacts 29 and 30 by a key controlled meanslater to be described. The plate 3'7 is resiliently supported by anonconducting plate 38 supported and driven by a driving plate 39 bymeans of angular tongues 40 of the contact plate and the tongues 41 ofthe driving plate engaging peripheral notches 42 of the nonconductingplate 38. The tongues 40 form a loose fit in the notches of the plateand a spring 43 is interposed between the contact plate 37 and thenonconducting plate 38 insuring a yieldable contact engagement betweenthe contact plate 37 and the coil base 23, providing a floating supportfor the movable contact plate. The plate 38 is more rigidly secured tothe driving plate 39 in that it rests against the ends of spacing posts44 provided by the driving plate 39 and at intermediate points betweenthe tongues 41, and the angular extensions of the said tongues.

The switch housing 35 is closed oil by a lock frame 45 which isperipherally recessed at 46 into which are bent tongues 47 about theterminal edge of the case 20. The lock frame 45 is provided with acentral stepped bore in which is disposed the key controlled means orlook 0 cylinder 48 operable by a key 49. Insertion and manipulation ofthe proper key 49 operates upon the tumblers 50 to permit turning of thebarrel 48 as may be desired. The key controlled means 48 also include aspringretaining bolt 51 that cooperates with an internal annular groove52 which under proper conditions known to those skilled in the artfunctions to retain the key controlled means securely within the lockframe.

The lock frame 45 has provision for limited rotation thereon, of thedriving plate 39 by means of a stud 53 which is received by an areshaped slot or elongated aperture in the driving .plate 39. A well 55 isformed in the lock frame which contains a spring 56 and ball 57providing detent means in cooperation with detent apertures 58 of theplate 39. At the inner end of the lock frame the bore providing for thereception of the key cylinder means 48 is rei when the duced in diameterso as to provide the inwardly directed flange acting as a retainer for acoupling member 61 interposed between the key controlled means and thedriving plate 39. coupling or interponent member is of steppedcylindrical formation substantially as indicated in Figs. 3 or 5, andcomprises a larger portion 62 nicely rotatable within the main bore ofthe lock frame. A shoulder 63 joining the portion 62 with a smallerportion 64 cooperates with the flange 60 at the inner end of thelockframe as illustrated in Fig. 1 to provide a bearing or journal forcoupling. The coupling 61 is centrally bored and threaded at 65, and thesmaller portion 64 thereof is provided with a rib or boss 66 which makesdriving engagement with the plate 39 by a similar shaped aperture 6? inthe plate. A screw 68 passing through the aperture 67 and into thethreaded bore 65 of the coupling secures the driving plate to thecoupling and the coupling and switch structure in operative associationat the inner end of the lock frame substantially as illustrated in Fig.1.

The reverse end of the coupling 61 is formed to provide a one-waydriving slip connection with the key controlled means and in thepreferred form comprises an offset rib or tongue which cooperates withcomplementary offset lugs '71 and '72 on the inner end of the keycontrolled means 46 in substance defining a Oldham connection. Inamodified form, the connection between the coupling 61a and the drivingplate is essentially the same as in the preferred form, but theseparable connection with the key controlled means 48 embodies a recess75, in the rear face of the larger portion 62 of the coupling, whichrecess has mating engagement with an offset lug 71a of reciprocal formupon the inner end of the key controlled means 48 as is clearlyillustrated in Figs. 5

and 6.

The structure herein described is attributed with the features providingfor-separable connection between the key controlled means and thedriving plate of the switch mechanism through'the coupling member 61 or61a as the case may be. It is obvious that when the structure isassembled, the coupling member 61 reposes in the reduced bore of thelock frame and rotatably secured. thereto is the driving plate 39 asdefined and limited by the stud 52 and slot 53. The screw 68 secures thecoupling and driving plate together and the switch structure to theinner end of the lock frame in cooperative relation therewith.

In practice it is customary to assemble the switch structure as aunitary assembly, first inserting the couplingmember 61 in the bore ofthe lock frame so that the smaller cylindrical portion 64 is rotatablyreceived in the reduced bore and with theshoulder 63 against the flange60 where it is made to interfit with the boss 66 in the opening 67 ofthe, driving plate 39 retaining screw 68 is driven home. The movablecontact assembly is then attached by placing the plate 38 against theposts as and bending in the tongues 41. The key con trolled means e8isthen inserted in the bore of the lock frame so that the retaining bolt51 is seated within the annular groove 52. This is easily accomplishedby depressing the bolt 51 as it is presented to the bore of the lockframe and the assembly 48, then forced into the bore and rotated ineither direction until proper engagement is made between the lugs 71 and'72 of the key controlled means and the lug 76 of the coupling, or untilthe offset lug 71a in the modified form is received by the recess in thecoupling. Due to the offset relation of the complementary parts formingthe one-way connection between the key controlled means 48 and thecoupling member it is possible for only one driving connection to bemade between these members, since there 'is but one way in which theywill fit together.

Whenthe lock cylinder 48 has been properly oriented with respect to thecoupling 61 or 61a as the case may be, then continued pressure of thekey controlled means within the bore will dispose the retaining bolt 51opposite the groove 52 whereupon the said bolt will drop into the groovein the usual manner as is well known to. those skilled in the art. Whenit is desired to remove the key controlled means 48 from the lock framethe retaining bolt 51 is depressed or retracted by any means well knownin the art, so that the key controlled means 48 can then be withdrawnfrom the lock frame as for service or other purposes. In Fig. 1, meansprovided for the manipulation of the retaining bolt 51 has beenillustrated as comprising a hole or passage 520., through one wall ofthe lock frame 45 and communicating at one end with the groove 52. Under7 predetermined conditions, that is, when the lock cylinder 47 has beenmoved to its unlocked position and when the unit has been removed fromits support, a wire or rod may be inserted in the passage 52a fordepression of the bolt 51 or to force it out of the groove 52, whereuponthe key cylinder 48 may be readily withdrawn from the frame 45. Thus, itis seen that in case of injury or damage to'the lock structure itselfthe key cylinder 48 may be readily removed from the lock frame withoutdisturbing or in any way disorganizing any of the structure associatedtherewith. The lock may be replaced with another which provides asimilar driving engagement between it and the coupling member 61 or610,. In assembling the new lock it is only necessary to insert it inthe bore of the lock frame orient it with respect to the coupling andcontinue to press it inwardly. Driving engagement is coincidentally madewith the switch structure and the bolt 51 falls into place securing themechanism in the proper relation.

When the new lock or the repaired lock as it may be, has been connectedor reassembled with the controller mechanism, here with the switchstructure, operation of the key controlled means 48 through the drivingconnection between the elements 66, 67, '70, '71, and '72 will actuatethe controller to regulate the function of'the coupled unit. In theillustrated embodiment actuation of the key controlled means will actupon the switch mechanism to open and close the circuits of the ignitionunit.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a lock controller for an ignition unit having a switch member, alock frame and a lock for actuating the switch member, the combinationcomprising, a coupling member carried by the lock frame and interposedbetween the lock and switch member, and means provided by the means forconnecting said plate with the coupler for preventing movement of saidplate relative to said coupler; key controller means rotatably supportedin said bore for operation of said driving plate through said coupler;and a flange provided by said frame cooperating with the coupler forpreventing effective axial displacement of said coupler from said keycontroller means.

HARRY E. NORVIEL.

